UFC 262: The Journey for Me
UFC 262 coming to Houston, Texas tomorrow is not about the box office draws. There is no Conor McGregor or Jorge Masvidal. This main event is special in its own way. There are no big names just long journeys. Over a decade in the sport of MMA, two of the premier fighters in the world will compete for a chance to win UFC gold, the Lightweight championship. A beautiful thing to see these grinders finally get the limelight. A beautiful thing to see.
My love with MMA began a little over ten years ago. Before the year 2010, I watched the UFC casually. The big names like Rashad Evans and Forrest Griffin are what made me watch the budding sport. The year 2010 was where it all changed. I was a sponge. I made it an effort to know everything about the sport. It was a pleasure following the sport, witnessing all the growth and expansion.
Following the evolving sport for so long, it is inevitable to notice the changes. I had the honor to see legends like Randy Couture and Chuck Liddell retire. With fighters retiring, it is assured new talent will ascend. There are many fighters you see debut in the UFC who are hyped as the next big thing. Jon Jones and Israel Adesanya are the poster boys for this label. There was never a doubt they would be champions. With success stories come failures. Erick Silva and Olivier Aubin-Mercier were notable prospects that never lived up to their expectations. Another fighter that was marching down the ‘bust’ label was one of the main eventers of tomorrow’s card, Charles ‘Do Bronx’ Oliveira.
I remember first seeing Oliveira compete in the UFC in the co-main event of a Fight Night show. A slender 20-year-old phenom destined for greatness. He faced a fellow hyped prospect in Ultimate Fighter Season Eight Winner Efrain Escudero. Oliveira put on a virtuoso performance and finished Escudero. ‘Do Bronx’s’ grappling was his calling card, but his striking blended so well with his Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. In complete sync. Seeing that performance made me think, “he’s got next.” For me you could pencil him in as the next UFC champion.
For so long, Charles Oliveira proved me wrong. He enjoyed mild success. A perennial top contender who seemed more like a pretender. I could not unsee those losses to Cub Swanson or Donald Cerrone. MMA is a crazy sport and undefeated records are pipe dreams. If you are in this sport, the odds are against you staying unbeaten. There are too many variables to be perfect. It was not about losing, but how Oliveira lost. I thought he lacked the heart and fortitude to be a champion. His extraordinary talent was masquerading his lack of intangibles. This supreme Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt was getting submitted by lesser grapplers. I gave up. To Charles ‘Do Bronx’ Oliveira. I am sorry. I was wrong.
No journey is perfect. Oliveira did not become champion right away, but he is on the verge of becoming one. Winning streaks in MMA are never flukes. Oliveira is riding his most impressive winning streak featuring dominant wins over Tony Ferguson and Kevin Lee. He rose to the occasion and is now a true contender and a pending champion in one of the premier divisions in the sport.
At the pre-fight press conference, his opponent Michael Chandler spoke to the media with so much confidence and belief. Chandler dominated the media days because of his outgoing personality. An outsider who made his UFC debut January and has a chance to prove the doubters wrong that he is truly an elite fighter.
There is a label in MMA that if you do not fight in the UFC, you are not a premier guy. Your career is smudged with question marks. Admittedly outsiders have fallen flat in the UFC. Hector Lombard and Gilbert Melendez were notable MMA talents that failed in affirming their reputation. Chandler has not ignored that stigma and is aware of the stakes of this fight. His awareness of those critiques coupled with his attractive confidence in himself makes it impossible to not root for him.
UFC president Dana White has gotten out of his way to compliment the former Bellator Lightweight Champion Michael Chandler. Chandler is what every promoter dreams about. Clean cut company guy who understands the intentions of the media, promotion, and fighters. It is great to see great things happen to great people.
Seeing him at the UFC 262 pre-fight press conference was typical Michael Chandler. Conversely, the press conference encapsulated the evolution of ‘Do Bronx’. Oliveira’s demeanor was all business. So quiet, but he exuded cool. A silent assassin. He is locked in. It is so rewarding to see human beings grow into the best version of themselves. Cannot wait for tomorrow. It is the journey for me. Good luck to you both.
